The earliest tune I fell in love with
My earliest recollection is walking into a room at kindergarten where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sonic landscape, and John Lennon bellowing: “Full speed ahead!” When it arrived at the chorus, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The very first single I acquired
When I was eight, I was victorious in a contest at school to choose a new vinyl to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first single I purchased with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was topping the charts at the time, and I chose it when my dad noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly cannot stand public singing and dodge it at all costs. But if I had to, I’d select Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite all the words to
I recently discovered that I know almost all the lyrics to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect song to put on at a party
It hinges on the point of the event you are at. For the beginning it would most likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the night wears on, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it hits its peak, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The song I can never listen to
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by the Beatles.
The album that changed my life
When I was 12 and just learning to study the guitar, I’d only listen to 1950s rock and roll, and was fixated on The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochran. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by the Australian rockers. It was still rock’n’roll, but it was high voltage rock music. Instantly after he put the vinyl on the record player, I was captivated.
The track that gets me up in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.
The piece that makes me cry
All music makes me emotional. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Elvis and the Beatles all stir my emotions because of the melody and sheer beauty of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner strikes a chord without fail.
The music I’d like played at my memorial service
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
